Funding search · workforce development · Illinois
Who funds workforce development work in Illinois
15 funders have a record of paying for workforce development work by Illinois recipients: 176 grants totaling $29.4M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are Illinois Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse ($4.0M), Heart of Illinois United Way ($2.7M) and Lloyd a Fry Foundation ($610,000).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Illinois recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
Illinois Alcohol & Other Drug AbuseSpringfield, ILCharity · may take applications
17 matching grants · $4.0M · through 2024Largest: $520,000 to AURORA UNIVERSITY — prevention and addiction recovery workforce development
Heart of Illinois United WayPeoria, ILCharity · may take applications
16 matching grants · $2.7M · through 2024Largest: $349,890 to EPIC — job training, designations
The Chicago Community TrustChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
21 matching grants · $5.2M · through 2022Largest: $1.1M to Teamwork Englewood — support for prep 2023 internship participation, support of teamwork englewood's capacity to build structure for mentorship and reverse mentorship curriculum for employees and youth…
Largest: $75,000 to CHICAGO JOBS COUNCIL — for workforce development advocacy, frontline focus training institute, and organizational development
Hire360Chicago, ILCharity · may take applications
16 matching grants · $868,699 · through 2023Largest: $68,052 to CHICAGO FEDERATION OF LABOR WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE — workforce development
Largest: $75,000 to YOUTH JOB CENTER INC — to support the general operations of this organization, which provides job-training and placement services for youth ages 1625.
Business and Career ServicesWheeling, ILCharity · may take applications
19 matching grants · $184,461 · through 2023Largest: $18,679 to TENNECO — on-the-job training
Largest: $25,000 to Inspiration Corporation — to support general operations including workforce development, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare GroupChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
13 matching grants · $900,560 · through 2023Largest: $50,000 to CHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP — workforce development
The Workforce ConnectionRockford, ILCharity · may take applications
9 matching grants · $7.6M · through 2024Largest: $2.7M to AAR AIRCRAFT SERVICES ROCKFORD — the grant was awarded to provide assistance with funding for the job training project.
Cwi WorksSilver Spring, MDCharity · may take applications
14 matching grants · $9.2M · through 2024Largest: $1.4M to COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INC — recruitment, training, and job placement of seniors
Robert R McCormick FoundationChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
9 matching grants · $6.8M · through 2024Largest: $3.1M to ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO — patrick magoon institute for healthy communities, for the lurie children's mentorship and workforce development program
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Start with one paperBroader: workforce development funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers